Lincolnshire CCC beat Cumberland to keep title hopes alive

For their final home match of the season in the Unicorns Eastern Division, Lincolnshire hosted the reigning champions Cumberland, at Grantham.

The home side needed to win to retain hopes of securing the Eastern Division title and obtain maximum points if they could.

David Lucas returned to captain the side after injury and Luke Robinson also returned.

They replaced Anish Patel and Ross Carnelley.

Lincolnshire won the toss and elected to bat.

They made a disastrous start, losing two wickets for seven runs and when Conrad Louth was dismissed for 36 the total was 66 for 3.

It was at this point that the match swung back into Lincolnshire’s favour as Jonny Tattersall and Adam Tillcock added 125 for the fourth wicket before Tattersall was dismissed for 87.

Carl Wilson and Tillcock added a further 106 before Wilson retired hurt for a valuable 31.

Luke Robinson and Martin Weightman pushed the score along but it was Tillcock who again stole the show with a brilliant 165 off 205 balls (15 fours and 7 sixes), his second score of 150 in successive matches.

Lincolnshire’s innings closed after their allotted 90 overs on 381 for 7, securing the maximum four batting points.

Cumberland made a fine start to their innings adding 78 before their first wicket fell.

At 150 for 2 they were well in the game but then they lost four wickets for the addition of only seven runs, including opener Josh Tolley for 85.

The match was now firmly in Lincolnshire’s control and Cumberland were finally dismissed for 226.

Jonny Tattersall with 4 for 28 was the pick of Lincolnshire’s bowlers.

With a lead of 155, Lincolnshire’s object was now to force the pace, but again they made a poor start losing their first two wickets for one run.

Conrad Louth (42) and Louis Kimber (51) put them back in control and by the close of play on day two they were 133 for 4, a lead of 288.

On the final morning Lincolnshire pressed ahead finally declaring on 189 for 5 with Adam Tillcock again top scoring with 69 and Luke Robinson 20 not out.

This left Cumberland requiring 345 for victory off 88 overs.

Lincolnshire struck early with David Lucas dismissing opener Will Hale for nought.

Josh Tolley again batted well for the visitors with 60, but received little support and when Alex Willerton bowled the dangerous Gary Pratt for 38 the only threat to a Lincolnshire victory was the drizzle and poor light.

A short stoppage for rain did not halt Lincolnshire’s victory charge and the final wicket was secured with around 50 minutes playing time remaining, the visitors being all out for 194 giving Lincolnshire victory by 150 runs and a maximum 24 points.

Lincolnshire are now second in the division, two points behind Northumberland.

They face Staffordshire away at Knypersley, near Stoke commencing on Sunday, August 14 in their final game.